Time Square

 I'm not usually one for New Year Cards, unless I've forgotten a Christmas card and it's too far gone in the season to send a Christmas card  - I'm sure we've all been there!  However after the dreadful year that was 2020, I think it's entirely appropriate to welcome 2021 with bells and whistles and hope that it is brighter for everyone!

My design was influenced by two challenges Time Out Challenge #177 and Inspired By Challenge #155

This massive clock die seemed appropriate and I've been looking for an excuse to open the wrapping!  Originally, I wanted to keep with the all white theme of the Time Out Inspiration so went with white die cut on white card stock - I like to call this technique faux embossing because it has the appearance of dry embossing!  An embossing folder would have been a lot easier if I'd had one - so many little tiny pieces to be removed! The balloons I masked off at different levels, applied glossy accents and then glitter.  At this point I realised I had to abandon the all white colour scheme as I had no white glitter and decided on this silver - it was also looking a little bland!  When that was dry I removed the masks, added the 2021 digits and applied glossy accents to the rest of the balloons.  I was careful when removing the roman numerals, painted these silver and reinserted them into the clock face once it was attached to the card front.  The small balloons were an afterthought - the image was slightly damaged in one spot so I covered it with a balloon and added a few others for balance 😉!

I'm also entering the Library Challenge #74 which is an Anthology i.e. choose a book from a previous Library Challenge.  I chose Challenge #21 from November 2018

I'm also entering Inspirational Challenge #229 which is to use something in your home.  I didn't have the forethought to buy balloons before this super strict lockdown was imposed (non-essential sections of the supermarket have been roped off - this didn't even happen in March/April here) but I do have clocks!

Both the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge and Allsorts Challenge #603/4 have the prompt Sparkle and Shine and these balloons do just that!

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed your visit.  If you leave a comment, I'll know where to find you and can return the favour!

Hugs and stay safe,

Kate

New Year Fireworks

You know that embarrassing moment when you realise you didn't send someone a Christmas card but they sent you one, exacerbated by the fact that your husband is meeting said person today for lunch…

I thought I'd make a new year card and what a perfect opportunity to use this new Sights of Sydney die my husband picked up for me when he was in Australia last month and I found under the tree on Christmas morning.  

I die cut 2 for extra strength and triple embossed them with WOW! Midnight Dream.  The firework(s) was from the Clearly Besotted Window Dressings Stamp set, which I embossed with various glitter embossing powders.  Sorry the photo is out of focus, I was in a hurry to photograph it before my husband went off to lunch with it.

Lots of lovely challenges have started up again this week so I'll be entering it Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the theme this week is Start Afresh - use something brand new straight out of the packet, which this die is.  I'll also be entering it in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the theme is New Something - apart from the new die, there is also the new year!

I'm also entering it in the current Inkspirational Challenge which has the following photo inspiration,

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC164 which has celebrations as the key word

and The Male Room Challenge #51, which has an Anything Goes theme.

Edited to include the challenge at Do-Al(l) Kreatives this month which has the theme Etwas Neues (Something New)

Edited to include the word challenge at Just Us Girls this week

Thanks for stopping by, especially if you take the time to leave some feedback.  Your comments are always a joy to receive,

Kate

Art Deco New Year

No matter how organised you are with your Christmas card list (and I never am), there always seems to be someone you have overlooked, or you get a card late Christmas eve from someone you didn't expect and you realise they weren't on your list.  One could just accept defeat and put them on the top of next year's list or send a New Year's card.  Here is such a card.

I've used the WMS Art Deco Backgrounds for the background and WMS Putting on the Ritz for the sentiment.  I mounted the sentiment on a self matting WMS Pretty Panel #2.  Some glittery Quickutz photo corners and some glittery Sizzix Original Confetti added a little sparkle !!!

I'm entering this in the last ever Waltzing Mouse Fanatics Challenge

Thanks for stopping by,
Kate